India ‘poorly positioned’ to handle growing solar waste

India is unprepared for expected rapid growth in solar PV waste due to a lack of policy framework and guidelines for waste management, according to a new report by consultancy firm Bridge to India.

The ‘Managing India’s PV Module Waste’ report estimates that PV waste volumes will increase to 1.8 million tonnes by 2050, with the country having scaled up installations at breakneck speed from 3GW in 2014 to 28GW in 2018.

Bridge to India has advised that proactive measures are needed, with government and private sector players working together to mitigate the potentially hazardous impacts of such waste on the environment and human health and to maintain sustainable growth in the sector. The country is also said to be lacking the awareness and operational infrastructure required for recycling PV modules.

By comparing international case studies with India’s own e-waste policy, the consultancy has generated a number of recommendations in the report which can be accessed here.

Ultimately, Bridge to India has called for “immediate efforts” to formulate a robust regulatory framework for allocating responsibility and specifying standards for PV waste management.